# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S105 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 105 toward a “policy based governance” model of structure and leader- ship. The Mission of the Eastern District is to encourage, nurture and link congregations to strengthen themselves and each other as we carry out the ministry of Christ together. Our vision is “developing people of purpose—a growing num- ber of followers of Jesus Christ who live to make a contribution to others in His name.” Our strategies include fostering creative partnerships, nurtur- ing servant leaders, and promoting an external focus. The Eastern District needs the prayers and resource support of the rest of the Synod. We are especially grateful to the counsel and encouragement received from Dr. Glenn O’Shoney and Dr. Robert Scudieri of the Synod’s Mission Department. We are grateful for the partnership we share in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. David Belasic, President R7-05-05 English District The 1997 convention of the English District voted to restruc- ture the District so that the Board of Directors becomes a policy board and the President of the District the executor of the policy. Out of this structure will be the organizing of Ministry Action Teams (MATS) in the Circuits and regions of the English District. It is the goal of this simplified model that more people will be in- volved in the work of the English District on a local level. The Circuit Counselors, Praesidium, and District staff met in February to begin organizing the MATs. Several MATs are already working, demonstrating the wisdom of the convention in moving to this form of structure. In January 1998, the District Board of Directors set forth a new vision statement: “Partners in Christ—-Working Together—Equip- ping to Gather.” This vision has already borne much fruit. In a Dis- trict where there are 171 congregations, 13 new congregations and 10 new mission starts have come into existence since the last syn- odical convention. The English District has also started one new day care center and three new preschools since 1995, bringing the total of preschools and day care centers in the District to 48. Added to this are 19 elementary schools and a high school. This is truly reason to praise God for the District congregations’ “Partners in Christ—Working Together—Equipping to Gather” around Word and Sacrament. Three new ventures in faith have recently received great sup- port in the District. C.A.M.E. (Center for Asian Ministry and Evan- gelism), under the executive leadership of Jotham Johann, has been given $50,000 by the Board of Directors to evangelize and plant new churches in the Asian American communities of North Amer- ica. C.A.M.E. is also supported by individuals on the District’s Board of Directors and members of Immanuel Korean Lutheran Church, Flushing, N.Y. New Life Chinese ministry in San Fran- cisco, under the leadership of Rev. Terry Chan, and Ministry to the Asian Indians in Chicago, under the missionary direction of Rev. Shadrach Katari and members of Bethesda Lutheran Church, Chicago, are also receiving District and congregational support. These ministries add to the French, Tigrian, Spanish, Persian, Es- tonian, English, and American sign in the English District. Another example of the English District in mission is the won- derful outpouring of prayers and financial resources for the work in Eritrea. Over a quarter-million dollars has been raised by local con- gregations in the District to send a trained theologian to Eritrea to equip pastors and lay teachers to proclaim the Gospel in that war- torn country. Rev. Zerit Yohannes has been called by the English District to bring more and more people into God’s fold. Once again we give thanks to God for a Partner in Christ—Working To- gether—and Equipping to Gather around Word and Sacrament. During this past trennium, the English District experienced some staff changes. The District suffered a deep loss at the tragic death of Erv Henkelmann, executive assistant to the President: Parish Services. In time, the Lord called Theodore Geheb, a long- time educator in the LCMS to fill this position. Ted still faithfully serves in this capacity. The Rev. Dennis Lorenz, executive assis- tant to the President: Missions accepted a call back into the parish ministry in Idaho. The English District now rejoices in a new ex- ecutive for Missions, the Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick. Two staff posi- tions, LCEF vice-president and executive for stewardship, will open up this spring and should be filled by the synodical conven- tion. Beth Kavasch remains as District treasurer and business man- ager. The District staff continues to be “Partners in Christ—Work- ing Together—and Equipping to Gather.” I am delighted to report that Rev. Dr. Roger Pittelko, immediate past President/Bishop of the English District, has been called to a teaching position at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. President Emeritus Pittelko brings many years of pastoral/adminis- trative experience to the seminary and will be a blessing on campus and to those soon to enter the pastoral ministry. Yes, we are a District with a new vision, a new structure, a new staff. Under God’s blessings, we anticipate an exciting, challeng- ing, and productive future. David H. Ritt, President R7-05-06 Florida-Georgia District “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Ps. 33:11). Under the banner of this truth, the Florida-Georgia District gath- ered for its golden-anniversary convention to celebrate the Lord’s love in its first SO years and to set its face confidently toward the future, determined to make those purposes known among its own people as well as those beyond its congregations. Under God’s blessing, the District has grown from its initial roster of 17 congre- gations in 1948 to 176 today. A moving highlight of the convention was the inspirational recounting by the Rev. Wyatt Kimberly of the District’s early leaders as they served without regard to the cost. God used their sacrificial efforts to give the increase. Our District wants to grow. Outreach to Hispanics has been ex- panded through the calling of two full-time mission developers, one in the Orlando area and another in the Fort Myers area. Addition- ally a director of Christian education has been added to the staff at Christ Lutheran in East Point, Ga., to enhance their ministry to Spanish-speaking peoples. Under the leadership of Executive Di- rector of Outreach, the Rev. Gerald Seaman, mission expansion has been brought closer to the local level by placing initiative and re- sponsibility in Circuit outreach councils. In 1998, we hope to open six new missions. The field is ripe. An ongoing outreach challenge is to help our congregations re- spond to changing ethnic communities, that they may communi- cate the good news of Christ’s unchanging love in culturally rele- vant ways. Partnering with the Southeastern District, a ministry to the deaf has been opened in the Augusta, Ga., area. Working with Asian Lutherans from New York, we are currently exploring the possibility of establishing an outreach to Koreans in the Atlanta area. Our Gospel outreach to Jewish people will be expanding to the Gulf Coast, funded by special gifts that enabled Apple of His Eye/FL-GA to receive an Innovations Grant from the Aid Associa- tion for Lutherans. We have entered into a partnership with Synod’s Board for Mission Services with the Thailand field and are currently seeking to send a teacher to Thailand. Ministry to Haitians and Laotians continues. We need the workers and the funds to respond to the many open doors. Anyone wishing to help through their gifts or their volunteer help, please contact us at (407) 857-5556. Another bright spot in the ministry of our District is the network of over 80 Lutheran day-care centers, preschools, elementary, mid- die, and high schools. Shepherding this important enterprise is Mr. Mark A. Brink, our Executive Director of Parish Services. He has wisely developed a support system from within the ranks of the District’s 800 educators. In addition to the usual Educators’ Con- ferences, the annual “Nurturing the Faith” workshops take pro- grams to six locations around the District, making the programs ac- cessible to all. Heading the District’s Division of Administration, Finance, and Stewardship is Mr. Richard Neubauer, who also serves as the area